U.S. patent number 9,492,286 [Application Number 13/494,871] was granted by the patent office on 2016-11-15 for intervertebral implant.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Biedermann Technologies GmbH & Co. KG. The grantee listed for this patent is Lutz Biedermann, Wilfried Matthis, Othmar Schwarzenbach. Invention is credited to Lutz Biedermann, Wilfried Matthis, Othmar Schwarzenbach.
United States Patent |
9,492,286 |
Biedermann , et al. |
November 15, 2016 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Intervertebral implant
Abstract
An intervertebral implant includes a first surface configured to
engage a first vertebral body, a second surface configured to
engage a second vertebral body, a side wall connecting the first
surface and the second surface to define a hollow space of the
implant, and a rotatable insert configured to be positioned in the
space, wherein an elongate opening extends through the side wall
into the space, and wherein the insert comprises a spring portion
configured to hold the insert in the space by frictional engagement
with the side wall and an engagement portion configured to engage
with a tool through the opening when the insert is positioned in
the space.
Inventors: |
Biedermann; Lutz (VS-Villingen,
DE), Matthis; Wilfried (Weisweil, DE),
Schwarzenbach; Othmar (Steffisburg, CH) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Biedermann; Lutz
Matthis; Wilfried
Schwarzenbach; Othmar |
VS-Villingen
Weisweil
Steffisburg |
N/A
N/A
N/A |
DE
DE
CH |
|
|
Assignee: |
Biedermann Technologies GmbH &
Co. KG (Donaueschingen, DE)
|
Family
ID: |
44925166 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/494,871 |
Filed: |
June 12, 2012 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20130023937 A1 |
Jan 24, 2013 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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61496801 |
Jun 14, 2011 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jun 14, 2011 [EP] |
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11169884 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F
2/4611 (20130101); A61F 2/4465 (20130101); A61F
2002/30843 (20130101); A61F 2220/0025 (20130101); A61F
2002/305 (20130101); A61F 2002/30777 (20130101); A61F
2002/30784 (20130101); A61F 2002/30841 (20130101); Y10T
29/49826 (20150115); A61F 2250/0006 (20130101); A61F
2002/30789 (20130101); A61F 2002/30593 (20130101); A61F
2002/448 (20130101); A61F 2002/30594 (20130101); A61F
2/4603 (20130101); A61F 2002/2835 (20130101); A61F
2002/30505 (20130101); A61F 2002/30538 (20130101); A61F
2310/00023 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61B
17/88 (20060101); A61F 2/44 (20060101); A61F
2/46 (20060101); A61F 2/28 (20060101); A61F
2/30 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;623/17.11-17.16 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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102008045174 |
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Mar 2010 |
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DE |
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WO 03/026538 |
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Apr 2003 |
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WO |
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Other References
Extended European Search Report for European Application No.
11169884.1, extended European Search Report dated Nov. 24, 2011 and
mailed Dec. 2, 2011 (5 pgs.). cited by applicant.
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Primary Examiner: Johanas; Jacqueline
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie
LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/496,801, filed Jun. 14,
2011, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in
their entirety, and claims priority from European Patent
Application EP 11 169 884.1, filed Jun. 14, 2011, the contents of
which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An intervertebral implant comprising: a first surface configured
to engage a first vertebral body; a second surface configured to
engage a second vertebral body; a side wall connecting the first
surface and the second surface along an axial direction of the side
wall and an inner wall surface of the side wall defining a hollow
space of the implant; a guide groove into the inner wall surface of
the side wall; and a rotatable insert configured to be positioned
into the guide groove from the hollow space; wherein an elongate
opening extends through the side wall into the hollow space and has
a maximum length in a circumferential direction of the side wall
that is greater than a maximum length of the opening in the axial
direction of the side wall; wherein the insert comprises an
engagement portion and a spring portion, the engagement portion
having a connection feature configured to be removably connected
with a tool through the opening when the insert is positioned in
the guide groove such that the insert is configured to remain
implanted by disconnecting the tool; wherein the spring portion
comprises a flexible arm extending from the engagement portion, the
flexible arm being compressible toward the engagement portion to
position the insert in the guide groove; and wherein when the
insert is positioned in the guide groove, the connection feature of
the insert is rotatable from a location adjacent one
circumferential end of the elongate opening to a location adjacent
a second circumferential end of the elongate opening.
2. The intervertebral implant of claim 1, wherein the guide groove
comprises two opposing guide grooves into the inner wall surface of
the side wall and each guide groove opens into the hollow space and
wherein the spring portion comprises two flexible arms being
compressible toward the engagement portion to position the insert
in the guide grooves.
3. The intervertebral implant of claim 1, wherein the insert
provides an axis of rotation for the intervertebral implant, the
axis of rotation extending through an opening of the first surface
into the space and through an opening of the second surface into
the space when the insert is positioned in the space.
4. The intervertebral implant of claim 1, wherein the insert is
configured to be guided in the guide groove during rotation of the
insert.
5. The intervertebral implant of claim 4, wherein the guide groove
is directly adjacent the opening of the implant.
6. The intervertebral implant of claim 4, wherein the guide groove
comprises two opposing guide grooves into the inner wall surface of
the side wall and each guide groove opens into the hollow
space.
7. The intervertebral implant of claim 1, wherein the insert
comprises a substantially cylindrical wall, and has a slot
extending through the wall in an axial direction of the insert.
8. The intervertebral implant of claim 7, wherein the engagement
portion includes an opening to the connection feature for the tool,
and wherein when the insert is positioned inside the hollow space
in position to be removably connected with the tool, the opening of
the engagement portion is between the slot of the insert and the
elongate opening.
9. The intervertebral implant of claim 7, wherein the engagement
portion includes an opening to the connection feature for the tool,
and wherein when the insert is positioned inside the hollow space
in position to be removably connected with the tool, the slot of
the insert is between the opening of the engagement portion and the
elongate opening.
10. The intervertebral implant of claim 1, wherein at least one
stop is provided that limits rotation of the insert when the insert
is positioned in the space.
11. The intervertebral implant of claim 10, wherein a slot extends
along an outer wall of the insert into the space in an axial
direction of the insert, and wherein the at least one stop is on
the insert and is spaced apart from the slot of the outer wall of
the insert.
12. The intervertebral implant of claim 1, wherein the side wall
defines a height of the implant, and wherein a height of the insert
is less than the height of the implant.
13. The intervertebral implant of claim 1, wherein the side wall
has a first curvature along the elongate opening, and wherein the
insert has an outer wall with a curvature corresponding to the
first curvature.
14. The intervertebral implant of claim 1, wherein at least a
second elongate opening extends through the side wall into the
space.
15. The intervertebral implant of claim 1, wherein when the insert
is positioned in the guide groove, the insert is rotatable by
around 90.degree. in the circumferential direction of the side
wall.
16. The intervertebral implant of claim 15, wherein the insert
comprises at least one stop that limits rotation of the insert when
the insert is positioned in the guide groove.
17. An intervertebral implant comprising: a first surface
configured to engage a first vertebral body; a second surface
configured to engage a second vertebral body; a side wall
connecting the first surface and the second surface and defining a
hollow space of the implant; and a rotatable insert configured to
be positioned in the hollow space; wherein an elongate opening
extends through the side wall into the space; wherein the insert
comprises an engagement portion and a spring portion, the
engagement portion having a connection feature configured to be
removably connected with a tool through the opening when the insert
is positioned in the space such that the insert is configured to
remain implanted by disconnecting the tool; wherein the spring
portion comprises a flexible arm extending from the engagement
portion, the flexible arm being compressible toward the engagement
portion to hold the insert in the space by frictional engagement
with the side wall; wherein at least one stop is provided that
limits rotation of the insert when the insert is positioned in the
space; and wherein the at least one stop limits the rotation of the
insert relative to other portions of the implant to around
90.degree..
18. A method of inserting an implant into a space between two
vertebral bodies, the implant comprising a first surface configured
to engage a first vertebral body, a second surface configured to
engage a second vertebral body, a side wall connecting the first
surface and the second surface and defining a hollow space of the
implant, and a rotatable insert configured to be positioned in the
hollow space of the implant, wherein an elongate opening extends
through the side wall into the space, and wherein the insert
comprises an engagement portion and a spring portion, the
engagement portion having a connection feature configured to be
removably connected with a tool through the opening when the insert
is positioned in the space such that the insert is configured to
remain implanted by disconnecting the tool, and wherein the spring
portion comprises a flexible arm extending from the engagement
portion, the flexible arm being compressible toward the engagement
portion to hold the insert in the space by frictional engagement
with the side wall, the method comprising: connecting a tool to the
engagement portion of the insert through the opening, such that a
rotational orientation of the implant relative to the tool is
fixed; inserting the implant into a space between two vertebral
bodies to a first position; loosening the connection between the
tool and the implant, such that the rotational orientation of the
implant relative to the tool is adjustable; further inserting the
implant into the space between the two vertebral bodies to a second
position, wherein the rotational orientation of the implant
relative to the tool changes between the first and second
positions; and disconnecting the tool from the implant with the
insert remaining implanted.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising inserting and
positioning the insert in the space of the implant prior to
connecting the tool to the implant.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein when the rotational orientation
of the implant relative to the tool changes, a rotational
orientation of the insert relative to the tool remains fixed.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the implant rotates relative to
a central axis of the insert with an axis of rotation extending
through an opening of the first surface into the hollow space and
through an opening of the second surface into the hollow space when
the insert is positioned in the hollow space of the implant.
22. The method of claim 18, wherein the tool and the engagement
portion of the insert form a threaded connection to facilitate the
connecting, loosening, and disconnecting between the tool and the
implant.
23. An intervertebral implant comprising: a first surface
configured to engage a first vertebral body; a second surface
configured to engage a second vertebral body; a side wall
connecting the first surface and the second surface and defining
interior hollow space of the implant between the first surface and
the second surface such that the interior hollow space extends
through the first surface and the second surface; and a rotatable
insert configured to be positioned in the interior hollow space,
the insert being configured to be significantly smaller than the
interior hollow space such that most of the interior hollow space
is unoccupied by the insert; wherein an elongate opening extends
through the side wall of the implant into the space; wherein the
insert comprises an engagement portion and a spring portion, the
engagement portion having a connection feature configured to be
removably connected with a tool through the opening when the insert
is positioned in the space such that the insert is configured to
remain implanted by disconnecting the tool, the insert comprising
an upper surface, a lower surface, a side wall connecting the upper
surface and the lower surface, and an outer surface of the side
wall of the insert facing away from a center of the insert; wherein
the spring portion comprises two flexible arms extending from the
engagement portion, the flexible arms being compressible toward the
engagement portion to hold the insert in the space by frictional
engagement with the side wall of the implant; and wherein when the
insert is positioned inside the interior hollow space in position
to be removably connected with the tool, and when viewing a
cross-section of the implant from the upper surface of the insert,
there is more hollow space outside the outer surface of the insert
than there is hollow space between the flexible arms of the insert.
Description
BACKGROUND
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an intervertebral implant that has a top
surface configured to engage a first vertebral body, a bottom
surface configured to engage a second vertebral body, and a side
wall connecting the top surface and the bottom surface, a hollow
space defined by the side wall and an elongate opening extending
through the side wall into the space. The implant further includes
a rotatable insert that is held within the space by a spring force.
The insert has an engagement portion configured to engage with a
tool through the opening.
Description of Related Art
An intervertebral implant configured to engage with an insertion
device for inserting between first and second vertebral members is
known from U.S. Pat. No. 7,935,148. The intervertebral implant has
an opening including an elongated shape that extends through the
side wall. A connection member including a receptacle is contained
within the side wall. The insertion device has a first end
configured to connect with the connection member of the implant
body. The first end is selectively positionable between
orientations to provide for the connection.
Another intervertebral implant is known from US 2010/0094422 A1.
The implant has a support body and a rotatable insert therein. An
installation instrument is also disclosed for removable attachment
to the implant and engagement with the rotatable insert to
selectively permit rotation between the insert and the support
body.
SUMMARY
It is an object of the invention to provide an intervertebral
implant that is simplified in terms of design and use, in view of
the possibilities that are available for final positioning of the
implant between vertebral bodies.
The intervertebral implant according to embodiments of the
invention has a compact design. An insertion procedure of the
implant is simple and safe, since a connection between the implant
and an insertion tool can be easily fixed/tightened and loosened.
When the connection between the tool and the implant is loosened,
the implant can be moved into a desired position by rotating it
relative to the tool. To this effect, the implant may include an
insert that remains fixed relative to the tool, and the other
portions of the implant may rotate relative to the insert. During
rotation, the intervertebral implant is safely held by the
insertion device and is prevented from inadvertent disconnecting
from the tool.
The design of the intervertebral implant allows for a large portion
of the hollow interior space of the implant to be available for
fusion.
In some embodiments, existing intervertebral implants could be
modified and upgraded with the insert.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further features and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the description of the accompanying drawings. In the
drawings:
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an
intervertebral implant and a tool for inserting the intervertebral
implant;
FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the enlarged portion
in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an insert provided for an
intervertebral implant according to an embodiment of the
invention;
FIG. 5 shows another perspective view of the insert of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the intervertebral implant of
FIG. 1 before inserting the insert;
FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the intervertebral implant of
FIG. 6 with the insert mounted;
FIG. 8a shows a cross-sectional view of the intervertebral implant
with the insert in a first position limited by a first stop;
FIG. 8b shows a cross-sectional view of the intervertebral implant
with the insert in a second position limited by a second stop;
FIGS. 9a to 9d show schematic cross-sectional views of steps of
engaging a tool with the intervertebral implant and rotating the
implant according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIGS. 10a to 10f schematically show steps of inserting and
positioning the intervertebral implant between two vertebral bodies
according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 11 shows a perspective top view of an insert according to a
second embodiment of the intervertebral implant;
FIG. 12 shows a top view of the intervertebral implant according to
the second embodiment with a tool connected to the intervertebral
implant in a first position;
FIG. 13 shows a top view of the intervertebral implant according to
the second embodiment with the tool connected thereto in a second
position;
FIG. 14 shows a perspective top view of an intervertebral implant
according to a third embodiment, where an insert is not yet
mounted;
FIG. 15 shows a top view of the intervertebral implant of FIG. 14
according to the third embodiment, with an insert mounted and a
tool connected to the intervertebral implant in a first
position;
FIG. 16 shows the intervertebral implant with the tool according to
the third embodiment in a second position;
FIG. 17 shows a perspective top view of an insert of an
intervertebral implant according to a fourth embodiment;
FIG. 18 shows a perspective bottom view of the insert of the
intervertebral implant according to the fourth embodiment;
FIG. 19 shows a top view of the intervertebral implant with insert
according to the fourth embodiment and a tool connected thereto in
a first position;
FIG. 20 shows a top view of the intervertebral implant with the
tool according to the fourth embodiment in a second position;
FIG. 21 shows a perspective view from a top of an intervertebral
implant with insert according to a fifth embodiment, and the tool
connected thereto in a first position;
FIG. 22 shows a perspective view of an insert corresponding to the
intervertebral implant according to the fifth embodiment;
FIG. 23 shows another perspective view of the insert corresponding
to the intervertebral implant according to the fifth
embodiment;
FIG. 24 shows a perspective view of the intervertebral implant
without the insert according to the fifth embodiment; and
FIG. 25 shows another perspective view of the intervertebral
implant without the insert according to the fifth embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of an
intervertebral implant 1 and a tool 50 for inserting the
intervertebral implant 1. As shown in particular in FIGS. 1 to 3,
the intervertebral implant 1 includes a top face 2, a bottom face
3, and a side wall 4 connecting the top face 2 and the bottom face
3. The side wall 4 defines an interior hollow section 5. The top
face 2 and the bottom face 3 have openings so that the hollow
interior section 5 extends into the top face 2 and the bottom face
3. Hence, the top face 2 and the bottom face 3 are formed by upper
and lower rims of the side wall 4, respectively. Furthermore, a
center wall 6 may be provided that separates the hollow interior
section 5 in two parts. The height of the side wall 4 is such that
the implant can be inserted between a first and a second vertebral
body. The height of the implant 1 may be largest around the center
wall 6 and may decrease towards outer ends of the implant 1. Teeth
7 or other engagement portions project from the top face 2 and the
bottom face 3 for engaging end plates of the vertebral bodies.
The implant 1 has two opposite long sides 4a and two opposite short
sides 4b connecting the long sides 4a. The short sides 4b are
rounded. The contour of the side wall 4 may be arcuate, for
example, it may have a kidney-shape or a banana-shape.
As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 2 and 3, an opening 8 is
provided in the side wall 4 that extends completely through the
side wall 4 into the interior hollow section 5. The opening 8 has
an elongate shape and extends preferably over a length in a
circumferential direction along a short side 4b. The opening 8 may
have a substantially rectangular contour and may be located
substantially in a center of the side wall 4 along a vertical
direction between the top face 2 and the bottom face 3.
As shown in FIG. 6, a guide groove 9 is provided at the inner wall
of the side wall 4 around the elongate opening 8. The guide groove
9 extends from both ends of the elongate opening into each of the
long sides 4a of the side wall. The height of the guide groove 9 in
a vertical direction (i.e., in a direction from the bottom face 3
to the top face 2) is the same or greater than the height of the
elongate opening 8 in the vertical direction. The length of the
guide groove 9 in a circumferential direction is dimensioned such
that an insert 10, shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, can be accommodated and
guided in the groove. When the insert 10 is inserted into the
hollow interior section 5 and placed into the groove 9, the groove
9 prevents the insert 10 from falling out.
The insert 10 of the implant 1 according to the first embodiment is
a substantially hollow cylindrical member. A cylinder axis C
defines an axis of rotation. A slot 11 extends parallel to the
cylinder axis C through the wall of the hollow cylinder to provide
first and second flexible substantially semi-spherical arms 10a,
10b that can be compressed slightly towards each other, thereby
narrowing the slot 11. At a position opposite to the slot 11, the
insert 10 includes a solid portion 12, for example, a cuboid-like
portion extending between the flexible arms 10a, 10b. The size of
the solid portion 12 is such that it does not restrict the
flexibility of the arms 10a, 10b. The solid portion 12 has a recess
13 for engagement with a tool 50. The recess 13 can be, for
example, a threaded bore.
The first flexible arm 10a has at its outer wall, adjacent to its
free end, a first stop in the form of a first protrusion 14a. The
second flexible arm 101) has at its outer wall, adjacent to its
free end, a second stop in the form of a second protrusion 14b. As
shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b, the insert 10 provides, with its cylinder
axis C, an axis of rotation for the implant. Hence, when the insert
10 is inserted, it can be rotated relative to the rest of the
implant between a first position defined by or limited by an
abutment of the first protrusion 14a at the inner wall (FIG. 8a),
and a second position defined by or limited by an abutment of the
second protrusion 14b at the inner wall (FIG. 8b). The first
protrusion 14a provides an abutment surface at a position away from
the slot 11, such that when the insert 10 is within the guide
groove 9 and the first protrusion 14a abuts against the inner wall
of the side wall 4 of the implant, recess 13 is located at or opens
near an end of the opening 8 opposite to where the first protrusion
14a is positioned. The second protrusion 14b is at a position at
the free end of the second flexible arm 101), such that the recess
13 is at the other end of the elongate opening 8 when the
protrusion 14b abuts against the inner wall of the side wall 4 of
the implant 1.
The tool 50 will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.
The tool 50 includes a handle 51 that is connected to a drive shaft
52 (See, e.g., FIG. 9a) with an end portion 53 for engagement with
the recess 13 of the insert 10. In the embodiment shown, the end
portion 53 is a threaded end portion that engages a threaded bore
of recess 13. The drive shaft 52 is rotatable within a sleeve 54
that is connected to a counter holding portion 55. An end portion
56 of the sleeve is concavely curved with a curvature that may be
adapted to a curvature of the outer wall of the short side 4b of
the side wall 4. The tool 50 is, however, not limited to the
specific example shown, and may have various different
constructions.
The connection between the tool and the implant will now be
explained with reference to FIGS. 9a to 9d. When the insert 10 is
inserted into the implant as shown in FIG. 9a, the recess 13 faces
the opening 8. The recess 13 may then be engaged with the end
portion 53 of the drive shaft 52. In the case of a threaded bore of
recess 13 and a threaded end portion 53, screwing the end portion
53 into the bore results in clamping the short side 4b of the
implant between the insert 10 and the end portion 56 of the sleeve
54 of the tool 50. The connection between the implant 1 and the
tool 50 may be fixed in this configuration. A slight loosening of
the threaded connection may allow for rotation of the insert 10
with tool 50 relative to the rest of the implant 1. The rotation is
limited in both directions by the abutment surfaces of the
protrusions 14a, 14b, respectively, at or against the side wall
4.
The implant 1, including the insert 10, is made of a biocompatible
material. For example, the implant can be made of stainless steel
or titanium, or of a biocompatible metal alloy, such as a nickel
titanium alloy, for example Nitinol, or can be made of a
biocompatible plastic material, for example, PEEK
(polyetheretherketone).
Use of the implant 1 during surgery will now be described with
reference to FIGS. 10a to 10f. FIGS. 10a to 10f schematically show
steps for inserting and positioning the intervertebral implant 1
into a space between two vertebral bodies of adjacent vertebrae
200. First, the tool 50 is connected to the implant 1. The insert
10 is in a position such that the recess 13 is positioned at
approximately a center of the elongate opening 8 along a lengthwise
direction of the opening 8. By tightening the connection between
the insert 10 and the tool 50, the implant 1 is fixed to the tool
50. Then, as shown in FIG. 10a, the implant 1 is introduced into
the intervertebral space between two neighboring vertebrae, where
one of the vertebrae is shown as vertebra 200 in the drawings. The
narrow side 4b of the implant 1 that is on a side of the implant 1
opposite to the tool 50 acts as a leading side. In the method
shown, the intervertebral implant 1 is introduced into the space
between the vertebral bodies using a posterior and lateral approach
to access the space between the vertebral bodies.
When the implant 1 and the tool 50 experience resistance and cannot
be pushed or advanced further, as shown in FIG. 10b, the fixation
between the implant 1 and the tool 50 is loosened slightly by
screwing back the drive shaft 52 (e.g., by rotation). This loosens
the clamping between the implant 1 and the tool 50 so that the
implant 1 is rotatable about the cylinder axis C of the insert 10.
As shown in FIGS. 10c and 10d, the implant 1 rotates around the
cylinder axis C of the insert 10 so that the recess 13 of the
insert 10 is shifted along the elongate opening 8. Then, as shown
in FIG. 10e, the implant 1 is shifted to its final position. As
depicted in FIG. 10f, thereafter, the tool 50 is disconnected by
unscrewing the drive shaft 52 from the threaded recess 13 and is
removed.
Since the tool 50 can be easily connected to and separated from the
implant 1, the handling of the implant 1 is simplified. Meanwhile,
during implantation, the implant 1 is safely connected to the tool
50 and cannot escape.
Furthermore, the design of the insert 10 is such that most of the
hollow interior space remains available for fusion. The insert 10
remains with the implant 1 after implantation, and occupies very
little space therein. As shown, for example in FIGS. 2 and 8a to
9d, when the insert 10 is positioned inside the hollow interior
section 5 in position to be removably connected with the tool 50,
there is more hollow space outside an outer surface of the insert
10 facing away from a center of the insert 10 than there is hollow
space between the flexible arms 10a, 10b of the insert 10.
FIGS. 11 to 13 illustrate a second embodiment of the implant. The
implant 1' differs from the implant 1 of the first embodiment in
the designs of the inserts. The insert 10' of the second embodiment
differs from the insert 10 of the first embodiment in the
construction of the stops. All other parts of the implant 1' and
the insert 10' are the same as in the first embodiment. The
description thereof will not be repeated. The insert 10' has,
instead of two separate stops provided at the flexible arms 10a,
10b, respectively, only one single protrusion 14 that is formed by
a thickened end portion of the first flexible arm 10a. The
thickened end portion 14 extends along the axial length of the
insert 10' and is provided adjacent to the slot 11. By the
thickened end portion 14, an outer diameter at the end of the
flexible arm 10a is greater than an outer diameter at the flexible
arm 10b. The size of the thickened end portion 14 is such that it
can limit the rotation of the implant 10' between two positions, as
shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. When the insert 10' is in a first
position, the recess 13 of the insert 10' is positioned
approximately at a center of the elongate opening 8 along a
lengthwise direction of the opening 8. The thickened portion 14
abuts against one of the long sides 4a of the side wall 4. Here,
the connection between the tool 50 and the implant 1' is
substantially straight as shown in FIG. 12. When the insert 10' is
rotated relative to the implant 1' by approximately 90', the
thickened end portion 14 abuts against the opposite long side 4a of
the side wall 4, and the recess 13 of the insert 10' is positioned
at an end of the elongate opening 8 opposite to where the thickened
portion 14 is positioned. The connection between the tool 50 and
the implant 1' is substantially perpendicular, as shown in FIG.
13.
A third embodiment of the implant is illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 16.
The implant 1'' differs from the implant 1 according to the first
embodiment by the positions of the guide grooves. The guide groove
90 includes two groove parts located opposite to each other at the
inner wall of the side wall 4, in the areas of the long sides 4a.
The groove parts of the guide groove 90 are located at a distance
from the elongate opening 8. When the insert 10 is inserted into
the hollow interior section 5, a portion of each of the flexible
arms 10a, 10b is received in the guide groove 90, respectively. As
can be seen in FIG. 15, in some embodiments, the position of the
guide groove 90 is such that when the insert 10 is inserted, there
is a distance between the recess 13 and the opening 8.
FIG. 15 shows the engagement of the end portion 53 of the drive
shaft 52 of the tool 50 with the recess 13 of the insert 10. Since
there is a distance between the insert 10 and the opening 8, the
connection is not fixed and the rest of the implant 1'' can be
rotated around the insert 10. By further engagement of the tool 50
and the insert 10, the insert is drawn against the opening 8 by
slightly compressing the flexible arms 10a, 10b, so that the
connection between the implant 1'' and the tool can be fixed.
The implant 1'' can also be equipped with the insert 10' according
to FIGS. 11 to 13.
A fourth embodiment of the implant is shown in FIGS. 17 to 20. The
implant according to the fourth embodiment includes an insert 100
that is different from the inserts 10 and 10' of the previous
embodiments in that the insert 100 can be mounted such that the
flexible portions 110a, 110b of the insert 100 are facing towards
the elongate opening 8. The insert 100 is a substantially hollow
cylindrical part, similarly as seen in the previous embodiments,
and has a slot 111 forming two flexible arms 110a, 110b. Opposite
to the slot 111, a solid portion 112 extends into the space between
the flexible arms 110a, 110b. The solid portion 112 has an
engagement portion 113 for the tool 50, which can be a threaded
through hole. At an outer side of the insert 100 that faces away
from the slot 111, the insert 100 includes a protrusion 114 that,
in some embodiments, extends from the threaded through hole 113
asymmetrically toward a side of the first flexible arm 110a. The
protrusion 114 acts as a stop to limit rotation of the insert 100
relative to the rest of the implant 1''' in two directions. The
insert 100 further has a circular recess 115 that is provided at
the position of the slot 111 to allow the end portion 53 of the
tool 50 to be guided therethrough.
FIGS. 19 and 20 show a top view of the implant 1''' with the insert
100 mounted therein. The insert 100 is mounted such that the
flexible arms 110a, 110b are oriented towards the opening 8. Hence,
the threaded through hole 113 is positioned at a distance from the
opening 8. The end portion 53 of the drive shaft 52 of the tool 50
is guided through the elongate opening 8 and engages the threaded
through hole 113. A size of the circular recess 115 is such that
the end portion 53 can pass therethrough. When a threaded
connection between the end portion 53 and the through hole 113 is
tightened, the flexible arms 110a, 110b are slightly compressed and
drawn against the opening 8 and/or the inner wall of the side wall
4. Thereby, the connection between the implant 1''' and the tool 50
can be fixed. Loosening the connection allows a rotation of the
implant 1''' relative to the tool 50. As shown in FIG. 19, the
movement of the implant 1''' relative to the tool 50 is limited in
a first direction when the protrusion 114 abuts against one of the
long sides 4a of the side wall 4. In this position, the threaded
through hole 113 points to approximately a center of the elongate
opening 8. When the implant 1''' is rotated with respect to the
tool 50, the other or opposite portion of the protrusion 114 abuts
against the other or opposite one of the long sides 4a of the side
wall 4, to limit the rotational motion in the second direction. The
range of motion is around 90.degree..
A fifth embodiment of the implant is shown in FIGS. 21 to 25. Parts
and portions that are identical or similar to the previous
embodiments are indicated with the same reference numerals, and the
descriptions thereof are therefore not repeated. In this
embodiment, a protrusion 1413' on insert 1000 is positioned on arm
10b at a position away from slot 11 in a circumferential direction.
A position of the protrusion 14b' is selected such that when the
insert 1000 is rotated relative to the implant into an end position
similar to that shown in FIG. 8b, the protrusion 14b' snaps into
groove 9. This may give feedback to a surgeon or other practitioner
that such an end position has been reached.
Furthermore, side walls of solid portion 12' that face inner walls
of flexible arms 10a, 10b each have a curved recess 12a to
facilitate insertion of the insert 1000 between inner walls of
implant 1''''.
The implant 1'''' may further have elongate openings 80 in sidewall
4 and additional grooves 90a, 90b. In particular, on a long side
4a, there may be additional elongate openings 80, for example, to
allow ingrowth of bone material and vessels. Meanwhile, the grooves
90a, 90b at the long sides 4a may serve for easier insertion of the
insert 1000 into interior hollow section 5. In such embodiments,
once the insert 1000 has been inserted into the interior hollow
section 5 at the position of the grooves 90a, 90b, the insert 1000
may then be displaced relative to the rest of the implant 1''''
into the groove 9.
Various modifications of the embodiments are also possible. The
contour and the shape of the implant may be different from the
examples shown. For example, the contour may have any other shape,
such as circular, rectangular, oval, etc. A height of the side wall
4 may be constant throughout the implant. The center wall 6 can be
omitted. It is also possible to adapt existing intervertebral
implants that may not include such an opening, by providing the
implants with an elongate opening, a guide groove, and an insert
piece as described above.
The insert also does not have to include stops. When the tool 50 is
connected to the implant, an abutment of the end portion 53 of the
tool 50 at the ends of the elongate opening 8 may also provide for
limiting the relative movement between the pieces. However, the
stops may be useful to limit the motion of the insert once it is
inserted into the implant when the tool is not yet connected. The
constructions of the various embodiments may also be
interchangeable. For example, it is possible to have a design with
the two groove portions 90 in any of the embodiments shown. The
positions and shapes of the protrusions that act as stops can also
vary. In particular, the shapes can be different. The elongate
opening 8 can be provided at another position and/or several
openings can be provided.
In addition, the connection between the insert and the tool need
not be a threaded connection. Any other connection that can be
easily fixed and loosened, for example, a snap-in connection, may
also be utilized.
While the present invention has been described in connection with
certain exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is
instead intended to cover various modifications and equivalent
arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended
claims, and equivalents thereof.
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